how do i download sims 3

@judy5610  If your game and packs show up in your EA App game library, then yes, you can download Sims 3 from the App without needing the discs.  If you never registered the game and packs, you can do so now through the App's "Redeem Code" option that shows up when you open your game library.

If Sims 3 is already installed, you could install the EA App and let it update Sims 3, which would remove the need to insert a disc when playing.  The App should detect the game automatically.

Or you could buy an external disc drive and continue playing with the discs.

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@puzzlezaddict wrote:

@judy5610  If your game and packs show up in your EA App game library, then yes, you can download Sims 3 from the App without needing the discs.  If you never registered the game and packs, you can do so now through the App's "Redeem Code" option that shows up when you open your game library.

If Sims 3 is already installed, you could install the EA App and let it update Sims 3, which would remove the need to insert a disc when playing.  The App should detect the game automatically.

Or you could buy an external disc drive and continue playing with the discs.

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Thank you for your prompt reply.

In the EA app I have the option to 'play' The Sims 3, but when I click it, it asks for the disc. When I open the manage add-ons, the base game is not listed - probably because it is not an add-on.

I registered the game many years ago. I also installed the game at that time, but used the CD.

I tried the redeem code method and it tells me the code is wrong. I tried it twice ensuring the code is exactly as the booklet in my CD cover says.

I hate the idea of playing with the disc. My Sims 4 is disc free and a pleasure to simply click the icon. I would love the same freedom with The Sims 3. I often use my DVD for other stuff and I worry that sooner or later my disc will get damaged with the in and out.

Any ideas on how I can go about downloading The Sims 3?

Thank you,

Judy

@judy5610  You might simply need to uninstall your current version of Sims 3 and install through the EA App instead.  However, some players run into issues installing some of their packs through the App, so rather than removing all the existing program files, preserve the data for your packs, that is if you have the space.

Close the EA App and kill the EABackgroundService in the Task Manager.  Right-click the Sims 3 shortcut on your desktop and select Open file location, which will land you in Bin inside the Sims 3's program files.  Inside "The Sims 3" itself, you'll find one folder for each pack you've installed, labeled by type and release order.  For example, Seasons was the eighth expansion released, so its folder is EP08.  Copy these folders, but nothing else, to the desktop.

Next, do a clean uninstall of Sims 3:

• Put aside your Sims 3 folder in Documents\Electronic Arts and rename it to something that doesn't include the words "Sims 3."
• Download Revo Uninstaller (the free version is fine) from here.
• Launch Revo, select Sims 3 from the list, and click Uninstall.
• Once the game is uninstalled, select "Moderate" under "scanning modes," and click Scan.
• Review the list, in case there's something you want to save; otherwise, click Select All, and then Delete.
• Close Revo, and restart your computer.

You can now install the game through the EA App.  If one or more packs don't install correctly, close the App and kill the background service, then copy the folders for those packs from the old Sims 3 folder you renamed to the new one, which will be here by default:

C:\Program Files\EA Games\The Sims 3

Open the App and try again to download those packs.  The App should verify their presence and finalize the install rather than redownloading the content.  When you're done, you can delete the folder that contained your packs.